About JR – Design Build Architect
Architect-led design and advisory services grounded in technical precision, construction insight, and long-term project stewardship.
Professional Background
JR – Design Build Architect was founded on the principle that strong architecture requires more than design talent — it demands regulatory fluency, construction intelligence, and disciplined coordination.
Joshua Richards is a Licensed Architect in Oregon and Washington with over two decades of experience spanning residential design, commercial projects, code consulting, and construction oversight.
His professional background includes:
Architectural design across residential and commercial sectors
Construction administration and field coordination
Regulatory and building code analysis
Technical review of life-safety and structural compliance
Owner representation and project advisory services
This multidisciplinary foundation informs every project — from custom homes to commercial feasibility analysis.
Licensure & Certifications
Joshua Richards holds professional licensure and technical certifications that reinforce disciplined project leadership.
Licensed Architect — Oregon
Licensed Architect — Washington
ICC Certified Residential Building Inspector
ICC Certified Commercial Building Inspector
ICC Certified Residential Plans Examiner
ICC Certified Commercial Plans Examiner
These credentials reflect a detailed understanding of building systems, regulatory standards, and plan review expectations — strengthening both design development and construction-phase oversight.
Approach to Practice
Architecture is approached as an integrated process — not a sequence of isolated phases.
Each project is guided by:
Early regulatory clarity
Thoughtful site and spatial analysis
Constructability awareness
Clear documentation standards
Coordinated consultant management
Structured construction oversight
Design intent and technical rigor are treated as complementary, not competing priorities.
Whether serving a homeowner building a custom residence or advising a commercial client on regulatory exposure, the objective remains consistent: reduce uncertainty, preserve quality, and deliver durable outcomes.
Owner-Focused Leadership
A defining characteristic of the practice is a fiduciary mindset.
Projects are evaluated through the lens of:
Long-term value
Risk exposure
Contractual clarity
Regulatory alignment
Documentation discipline
This approach is particularly valuable in luxury residential projects, where coordination complexity and financial scale require structured oversight and steady guidance.
Serving Portland & Southwest Washington
Serving the Greater Portland Metro Area
Portland, Beaverton, Tigard, Lake Oswego, West Linn, Happy Valley, Milwaukie, and Clackamas County.
Familiarity with regional zoning frameworks, Oregon Structural Specialty Code provisions, and Portland Bureau of Development Services processes supports informed decision-making from project inception.
A Measured, Disciplined Practice
JR – Design Build Architect is intentionally structured as a focused, principal-led practice. Each engagement receives direct oversight, technical involvement, and coordinated leadership from concept through completion.
Clients seeking thoughtful design, structured execution, and informed regulatory strategy are invited to begin with a consultation.